Optimized paper-based electrochemical sensors treated in acidic media to detect carbendazim on the skin of apple and cabbage

Author(s)

Martins, Thiago S. ; Machado, Sergio A. S. ; Oliveira Jr, Osvaldo N. ; Bott-Neto, Jose L.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Food Chemistry; v. 410, p. 7-pg., 2023-01-13.

Abstract

Wearable sensors such as those made with paper are needed for non-destructive routine analysis of pesticides on plants, fruits, and vegetables. Herein we report on electrochemical sensors made with screen-printed carbon electrodes on kraft and parchment papers to detect the fungicide carbendazim. A systematic optimization was performed to find that electrochemical sensors on kraft paper treated in an acidic medium led to the highest performance, with a detection limit of 0.06 mu M for carbendazim. The enhanced sensitivity for this sensor was attributed to the porous nature of kraft paper, which allowed for a large electrode surface area, and to the carboxylic groups formed during electrochemical activation. As a proof-of-concept, the electrochemical sensor attached to the skin of apple and cabbage was used to detect carbendazim with the same performance as the gold standard method, thus demonstrating that the sensor can be used in the farm and on supermarket shelves. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/13514-9 - Electrochemical sensors with a matrix containing graphene quantum dots or nanoribbons for the detection of biomarkers
• Grantee: Jose Luiz Bott Neto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 22/03758-0 - Integrated dual electrochemical device for multiplexed detection of biomarkers
• Grantee: Thiago Serafim Martins
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 18/22214-6 - Towards a convergence of technologies: from sensing and biosensing to information visualization and machine learning for data analysis in clinical diagnosis
• Grantee: Osvaldo Novais de Oliveira Junior
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/01777-5 - Manufacture of disposable electrochemical devices composed of hollow carbon nanospheres and carbon nanowires decorated with silver nanoparticles for the quantification of endocrine disruptors in supply water samples
• Grantee: Sergio Antonio Spinola Machado
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants